House of Baltazar by William John Locke is a captivating novel that offers readers a glimpse into the lives of a wealthy family in France during the early 20th century. The story follows the Baltazars, who are known for their extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The Baltazar family members are complex and flawed, making them relatable and intriguing to follow as their secrets and struggles unfold.

One of the strengths of the book is its vivid and descriptive writing, which brings the opulent setting of the Baltazar mansion to life. The author's attention to detail and rich imagery immerse the reader in the luxurious world of the Baltazars, while also exploring deeper themes of love, class, and morality.

Overall, House of Baltazar is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and family sagas. William John Locke has crafted a compelling story that is both entertaining and meaningful, making it a worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf.

Book Description:
Twenty years ago, John Balthazar, a notable and brilliant Cambridge mathematician, left England abruptly as he found himself falling in love with a woman who was not his wife. No one hears from him for 20 years and it's assumed he's dead. He travels to China where he steeps himself in the culture and returns incognito 20 years later with his Chinese pupil, Quong Ho. They live in a remote farmhouse where he stays in blissful ignorance of the events of the First World War until a German zeppelin crashes nearby and blows up his house. Abruptly brought back to the reality of life in 1916, Baltazar finds that his wife has long since died but has left a son he did not know existed, who has coincidentally met his former love in a nursing home. The second half of the book picks up the story from there.